Private Lessons Boost Student Confidence

Let’s face it: getting up on a stage or in front of a room full of people to sing a song or pour yourself into a character and recite lines is hard! Whether you’re brand new to performing arts or have been singing, dancing, and acting for years– everyone could use some extra help preparing their material. Let our experienced and engaging teaching artists help you put your best foot forward. When you feel prepared, your confidence soars. We’re currently scheduling through the end of March in the private lessons studio.

What can you do to get the most out of your lesson?

Come prepared with music (including the piano accompaniment– not just the libretto) or script

If you don’t have the music, contact us ahead of time so that we can help you before your scheduled session

Bring an audio recording device, a pencil, and a bottle of water

Now that you know what we can do for you and what you should do before you get here, all that’s left to do is schedule your lesson! Fill out the form below or give us a call at (410) 849-6335 to get started!

It’s the Holiday Season…

With Hannukah well underway and Christmas right around the corner, it’s not too late to give the perfect gift to that dramatic kid in your life. Enjoy a few suggestions for the drama-lover in your life.

Theatre Tickets

Give the gift of experience this holiday season by bringing someone you love to the theatre!

Red Branch Theatre Company (the professional theatre in residence at DLC) presents Curious George: The Golden Meatball this month fromDecember 14-22. Many DLC teaching artists are involved both on stage and behind the scenes. Grab some tickets today. Check out special events like Parents’ Night Out PJ Parties, Santa Sightings, and even a Sensory Friendly performance.

TYA Professional Training Program presents the area premiere of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder next month from January 12-20. This uproarious musical comedy will be a great evening of theatre for the musical theatre fanatic in your life. Tickets are on sale now!

Drama Classes, Workshops, and Private Lessons

Winter Classes and CampsWe’ve got tons of fun classes and workshop days coming up this Winter. Classes begin next week, and many begin early in the new year. If you know a kid who has already gotten everything that they want or need but loves drama, put them in a Winter Class or Camp! Check out Freaky Friday (Production Classes: grades 3-6, 3-8, & 6-12), Winnie the Pooh KIDS (Beginning Acting Class, grades K-2), OR Winter Break Camp & School’s Out Workshop Days!

Private LessonsIndividual attention with a skilled private voice or acting teacher is the perfect thing to take your student’s skills and confidence to the next level. We don’t just teach kids, either! Do you have that adult in your life that’s got everything or impossible to shop for? Get them a gift certificate for private lessons!

These experiences might not take up the size of a big box under a gree, but they can still be given as gifts! Give us a call today at (410) 849-6335 for a digital or hard copy gift certificate to hand over to the lucky recipient.​

DLC Spirit Wear

When all else fails, buy them some comfy loungewear to sport your DLC pride. Our Spirit Wear store is open, and we cannot wait to see our DLC families sporting this fashionable gear this Winter. Check out our entire store for hoodies, t-shirts, scarves, blankets, back-sacks, flannel pajama pants and MORE. The spirit wear ships directly to you! Order by December 9th for a guaranteed delivery by December 25th.

We continue our series on our private instruction faculty with our on-screen teaching artist. Students interested in breaking into film and voice-over work should take notice of Mr. Andy Clemence, who has been a union actor on stage and screen for over three decades. Now is a great time to get to know a little more about him, and then book some time in the private studio for this truly unique one-on-one educational experience.

Introducing On-Screen Acting Coach Andy Clemence!

Who do you teach in the studio? I teach private acting for film, TV and theatre to mostly kids from ages 10 to 17 as well as adults. This includes: audition technique, scene study, monologue preparation, audition taping, and tips and insights about the acting industry.

What do you do outside of the private studio? Outside of teaching, I’ve been a professional union actor for film, TV, theatre, and voice-over in DC, Los Angeles, and New York for over 35 years. I’m also a musician and am writing a musical about an infamous safe-cracker based on an O’Henry short story. I also do training for Federal Law Enforcement officers and I get handcuffed and shot all the time. FUN!!

What’s your favorite Broadway show and why? Hands down, my favorite Broadway show is CHESS. Although I should say the original London production of it, because the Broadway version was completely different and closed very quickly. I love it becasue the score has the most amazing symphonic/rock music with lyrics by Tim Rice, who I worked with personally when I directed the “London version” of the show in Virginia.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching private voice? Favorite thing about teaching private lessons is that it’s all about that student! They get the whole hour to themselves and don’t have to share the time with anyone else. I love to watch a student go from stagey, artificial performance to an absolutely real and natural one that is true to the actor’s own essence.

How long have you been teaching? I’ve been teaching for about 3 years. I also teach classes in “Acting” and “Audition Self-Taping” in DC.

Want to learn more about our Private Instruction Program? All of the information you need can be found here. We hope to see you soon in the studio!

We’re back with our series on our private instruction faculty. Mr. Dustin is an avid musical director, accompanist, and private instructor. He’s almost booked through September and booking through the rest of the Fall. Now is a great time to get to know a little more about him, and then book some time with him in the private studio.

Introducing Private Voice Instructor Dustin Merrell!

Who do you teach in the studio? I teach students of various ages who are seeking to better their technique. Sometimes we focus on a broad approach, and sometimes there are specific goals in mind. Most of my students concentrate primarily on musical theatre; whether the focus is on establishing healthy technique, building repertoire, developing audition skills, working lyrical interpretation, or preparing for college auditions, there are established end goals for every student who steps into the studio.

What do you do outside of the private studio? I also work as a musical director, accompanist, and composer (in both educational and professional theatre). I have directed at several Howard County middle schools through DLC’s offsite production program. I have worked as musical director at Howard Community College, Imagination Stage, Atholton High School, and the Carver Center for Arts and Technology. Professionally, I have music directed for Red Branch Theatre Company numerous times, and recently served as musical director at Adventure Theatre.

What’s your favorite Broadway show and why? Once on This Island by Flaherty and Ahrens. I belive Once on This Island is the perfect example of how effective a piece of theatre can be. The music is beautiful, and is perfectly woven into the story and characters. The show is entertaining, haunting, sad, joyful, and thought-provoking. Choosing a favorite musical is a difficult task; however I believe that few shows are as polished and well-constructed.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching private voice? Watching students learn to problem-solve independently. One of my goals as a private instructor is to enable students to think critically, and to empower them to reflect on their training when attempting to solve a problem, or clear a hurdle. When I observe this happening in real time, I know that the training is producing results. Furthermore, I cherish every moment in which something “clicks” with a student. Improving upon this craft requires discipline, practice, and plenty of reptition. When I see a student finally understand a concept– or finally “feel” something on which we’ve been focusing – I am filled with immense joy and pride.

How long have you been teaching? I began music directing and coaching for summer musical theatre camps about twelve years ago. I have been teaching privately for seven years.

Would you like to meet one of our private lesson faculty members before signing up for a lesson? NEW this year, we’re offering a limited number of personalized vocal assessments.

Our talented teaching artists would love to spend a little time one-on-one with you to hear you sing and make recommendations for next steps. Sign up now to be added to the waitlist for a free 15-minute vocal assessment. These are offered as available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Back by Popular Demand!

Our adult musical theatre students had a great time this past Fall learning singing, dancing, and acting skills from acclaimed singer, actor, and educator Janine Sunday. Class is about to start again, and it’s not too late for you to join! Students ages 18 and over will be able to learn new skills and hone the ones that they already have in this low-pressure class tailored to the interest and tastes of the class. Share what you learn in a final showcase for family and friends at the end of the session. Here are the things you definitely need to know about Adult Musical Theatre:

“You can’t tell from this distance but many of the kids, even though they’d never met before, were crying as they took their final bows. In 4 short weeks, you created a family.”– Andrea D.“I can’t say enough how blown away I was by the incredible talent. It’s been a great experience for my daughter. Thank you! She will miss the cast for sure!”– Margaret O.“Even though my daughter was one of the youngest she said she always felt included by the older kids who looked out for them. This was a hugely ambitious project and it ended up being amazing! Thank you for taking this on and making such a caring environment for all the kids! This is why I love theatre, and now my daughter does too!”– Alexia C.“This was an awesome experience!! The older kids were great with my daughter who was one of the youngest in the cast. I truly appreciate the supportive and enriching environment that DLC created for this show.”– Beth H.“Not only was the show impressive, the experience was wonderful. My daughter and friends sobbed after the last performance. They’ve never been as close as a cast and they are already committed to return next summer.”– Andrea D.